Signal head-light



Patented Mar; 9, 1880.

ihwentor IVI-[\||El-ICJL5E)[\I- .131;

Wttomeg.

M NICHOLSON Signal Head-Light.

Witziesses, W A Swim UNITED STATES" PATENT OF ICE...

MICHAEL NICHOLSON, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

.SIGNAL' HEAD-LIGHT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,299, dated March 9, 1880.

I Application filed March 28, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MicHAEL NIonoLsoN, of Baltimore city, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Head-Lights and I hereby declare the same to be fully, clearly, and exactly described as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which the said device is illustrated, in

Figure 1, in perspective view, Fig. 2 being a sectional view on line as as, Fig. 1.

My invention has reference to signal headlights in general and to locomotive head-lights inparticular.

It consists, broadly, in a signal-lantern having its front rim provided with colored side signals, which are adapted to be concealed, when desired, with or without a similar front signal.

It is customary on railroads to require a colored signalgenerally a red flag by day and a red light by night--to be displayed on every engine of a convoy of trains, except the last, the object being to indicate that an other train is following any one which shows the red signal.

Prior to the introduction of my head-light each engine was provided with one or more red lanterns in addition to the ordinary headlight, involving a considerable outlay to pro- Vide the lanterns and keep them filled and in repair.

The device about to be described furnishes a head-light adapted to display colored front and side signals when desired, all being illuminated by the single light.

In the accompanying drawings, A is the body of an ordinary locomotive head-light, having the usual lamp a, parabolic reflector a, and projecting front rim, B. These parts are of the usual size and shape. At either side the front rim, B,.is cut away, and a projection, I), is formed thereon, extending to a point about flushwith the side of the lantern. In the faces of the projections b are inserted the glasses 0, of appropriate color, and preferably lenticular in shape. These glasses, which constitute the side signals, are inclined at about an angle of thirty degrees to the axis of the parabolic reflector, and are so situated as to receive the direct rays from the lamp (0.

The side signals, 0, are provided with covers c, pivoted as shown at d, and are also provided with thimbles c, which register with similar thimbles, d and 0', when the cover is raised or lowered, a pin, D, being passed through the thimbles and securing the cover in position.

Above the front rim is a casing, E, in which is mounted the front signalpane, 6, upon a suitable shaft adapted to be revolved by means of a hand-wheel, F, in front of the casing. The pane e is inclosed in a frame, 6, and is suspended from the shaft by an arm, 6, and issomewhat less in diameter than the radius of the front opening of the lantern, so that it does not extend down to a point opposite the lamp or parabolic axis.

As a result of this construction the signalpane does not in any material degree impair or lessen the illumination of the track or tracks by the lamp and reflector.

The pane c is concealed, when desired, by revolving the wheel F until the pane is brought into the position shown in dotted lines, in which position it is held by its own weight.

I make no claim here to the various minor points of novelty embodied in the device described, as they are made the subjects of the claims in another application of even date herewith; and for the reason that they are therein fully set forth, I consider it unnecessary to describe here the advantages arising from the said details of construction.

'What I claim is- 1. A signal head-light having its front pro-- jecting rim provided with colored signal-panes located at either side and away from the face of the lantern, and adapted to be concealed, when desired, by mechanism substantially as setforth.

2. A signal head-light having lateral openings in its front rim covered by colored-glass plates, for the purpose of exhibiting side lights as signals, substantially as set forth.

3. A signal headlight adapted to exhibit front and side signals, the latter consisting of glass plates located opposite openings in the front rim and away from the face of the lanthe sides of the lantern, whereby it is visible tern, as set forth. from a point dead ahead as well as from the 4. A signal head-light having at either side side, as set forth. a side signal located opposite an opening in MICHAEL NICHOLSON. 5 its front flange and away from the face of the Witnesses:

lantern, the said side signal being adapted to B. D. WILLIAMS,

be concealed when desired, and inclined to J. G. GITTINGER. 

